Billy Strings Early Years

I first met Billy Strings playing his guitar on Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan in July 31, 2012. I've been in theatre for over 30 years as an actor, director, playwright, and theatre critic. My eyes and senses gravitate quickly to superb talents, and Billy Strings is clearly one. He is a rising star and I'm not the least surprised at all. The musician playing the mandolin is multi-talented Don Julin who is one of the best! They both lit up the stage wherever they played! - Photos and Filmed by Wayne Erreca
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[@supertravdoggy]

Billy was sick with it then and has done nothing but improve since. Its amazing how he walks amongst giants yet has such great respect and humility. A down right good dude stuffed in a bluegrass guitar gods form. You dont see that every day.

[@kyledrummond9750]

The fiddler is called Elijah Halpin 👌

[@janearcher3834]

I am amazed that people just walked by the two fine musicians on the street playing incredible music. Clearly not able to recognize the quality of the music being played.

[@gabrielbingham605]

And now a world renowned Grammy Award Winning musician! Keep practicing kids!

[@tomhoefling]

Billy and his young friends have breathed new life into American music. God bless them and keep them from the pitfalls that catch hold of and destroy so many talented musicians. We need this young gentleman and the incredible talent he's been perfecting around for many years to come.

[@robertjewett9893]

Love the little girl in the first vid that stops her parents to listen. She says "Hey, this guy is good! Lets stop and enjoy some good music!!!"

[@mudstaind26]

Goddamn goosebumps from the start and they stayed until the end. Love it.

[@liddlebirdie]

He loves playing great rhythm as much as playing great lead. Passionate and true talent.

[@drewharrison1840]

This will be in the library of Congress someday

[@jamesgood6065]

Spent last weekend at Renewal Fest. Had a chance to meet him and enjoy is music. Absolutely fantastic experience!

[@wsmfp_4207]

These were the good old days in Michigan. Miss walking around Michigan towns, small or big, and somehow running into Billy picking on every corner. The coffee house sets with Don Julin were great but I always knew he was destined for much, much bigger things. Honestly blown away with how big things have gotten for him, couldn't have happened to a better kid.

[@dawgrogers]

Always with a smile, it's a walk in the park

[@lindamon5101]

Billy was a kid @ winfield with his daddy sweetest ever!

[@rebeccacomfort1918]

811/77 is when I was born thank you Billy's mom and dad and every other Strummer that taught him and thank you for his ear for music and thank you Billy

[@JohnSmith-fk7cq]

Happy belated birthday

[@dilligaf700]

Billy is pure gold and great for the ears, just wish I was younger so I could listen to him for longer.

[@GearshiftsandGrins]

My Barber here in Tennessee knew I was from Michigan and had a funny story for me. He said he was visiting some in-laws up in Traverse city MI a handful of years ago. He is an avid bluegrass player who plays banjo on a bench in front of the barber shop when not busy. He was walking in Traverse City while his wife was shopping (I know the feeling). He then saw Billy Strings playing and said "Holy crap your Billy Strings" lol. He looked around and said "People, don't you realize this is Billy Srings!!" MI is not big on bluegrass and wouldn't know Earl Scruggs if he was playing with a hat on the ground there. But I do love, miss and regularly visit my old state with my wife and kids now. I keep a lookout for Billy when visiting Traverse City, I think he may have moved on to bigger and better venues, but I hold out hope lol. Congrats on the Emmy Billy!

[@bobmmuise4586]

Mighty fine Billy & Don

[@robertduggan2085]

From this to Grammy winner !!$

[@tieguyscollectibles9767]

billy and julin what a crazy duo

[@liamcore7203]

I have always believed that the best art exudes the suffering of the artist. This kind of music is the appreciation of life through hard times. I HATE country, but somehow love listening to this guy and his band.

[@alexandergriggs9934]

It’s not country.

[@Jethlin2020]

​@@alexandergriggs9934 lol...exactly.

[@genehall8895]

My God just listen to him playing! Folks he is only 17 or 18 here . I cant believe I had never heard of him until a few months ago. Billy Strings ,is going to not only dominate Bluegrass, and country music. He is destined to become a popular icon , in all genres. It's rare for me to run across someone that I am really impressed by musically . He definitely fits the bill. What a talented young man.

[@rogeradkins7497]

Not just good DAMN good

[@ericbowling2755]

I'm old so, just happened upon Dust in a baggie. Thought I had discovered an incomparable Genius. Well, I did but didn't have any idea already a Grammy winning artist. Still can't believe He's not on the radio and tv every night.

[@slowsteve3497]

Radio? TV? What’s that?

[@danparts9333]

could not of said it better myself.. it takes alot for a musician to impress me anymore.. billy not only impresses ... he blows my friggin mind and melts my face...

[@jimbenny3331]

He’s the Eddie Van Halen of Bluegrass

[@charlieraven6342]

I still cant believe hes from traverse city. I probably met this man and not even realized it at the time smh damn

[@2bizzy4this]

I wish I had just a teeny bit of that talent!!! Blows my mind!

[@sunshineharris1142]

Love this guy I'm so proud I got to see this beautiful soul ❤

[@sunshineharris1142]

U pulled my heart strings with you playing lay me down oh my godess keep on trucking sweetness love ur sunshine Big Fan ♡♡♡

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

Great to see the early years. And all the years.

[@connorswanson7562]

People just casually walking past a legend

[@ryanj748]

Wow--what a gem this is. Thanks for sharing this!

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@calebvinson8703]

I love Billy so much.

[@raybeaulieu6187]

Excellent.

[@joetolley2371]

The amazing Billy Strings. He seems to be a very nice and generous man. Stay safe.

[@eddieharper8665]

Thank you for that.

[@dougpotosky4102]

I only discovered Billy a few months ago. Within seconds I knew he was a special musician. My background with music goes very deep. So I knew he was going places. Now its seems like Billy has become a legend for so many! The world certainly needs his music!

[@coryCuc]

Welcome aboard the Billy Strings train!

[@chipsammich2078]

Doug are you the photographer?

[@njgl2010]

I've heard him before, but as a musician I've never really sat down and really listened and picked him apart. I have now, and Billy Strings is a MUSICAL PROPHET! Sharp, crisp, no corners cut, the guy is incredible. Big time fan!

[@coryCuc]

@@njgl2010 yes he is. I can't wait to see him in concert.

[@michaelpowell7120]

Great player!

[@silas6234]

considering his age and assuming he grows old, he is still in his early years ;-)

[@sunshineharris1142]

Beautiful old soul 🥰💋

[@nickpavone5220]

Thank You. SO beautiful to have these Old Clips ..🤗❤

[@KM-sr8dd]

Greatness can come from anywhere

[@jimjones8268]

2013 the two were at Blissfest that is where I first saw him I knew right then.. Next I saw him in Sault Ste Marie mi.

[@girlswholikegirls]

I feel like the people who like this video are my kind of people

[@richardkennedy3090]

We are my friend...

[@tomdabomb3457]

i dont like it....I LOVE IT!

[@MandyHartnett]

I feel like people named white whiskey are my peeps🥰

[@MandyHartnett]

@@tomdabomb3457 gotta say tom is da bomb

[@Jeeppeeps]

The fiddle player is tremendous toO

[@purim]

When I first took that photo at both of them, and I agree the fiddle player was tremendous.

[@MarlBuggsy]

Hello Wayne, Thank you for posting these early performances of such a talented young man. You obviously recognized this young man's extraordinary talent back then. Are they're any other young talent that caught your attention before they were recognized nationally?

[@nickmarble7226]

Amazing you do have a supreme eye

[@purim]

Thank you! Billy Strings made it easy for me!

[@2Guys1ControllerShow]

Supreme ear Ftfy

[@glenbaker5311]

Thxs for posting this,, any idea when he stared to write songs like dust in a baggie,, Thxs for the info,, gb

[@ellenfalls1330]

I love your instincts, Wayne. Thanks for preserving this!

[@purim]

It was an amazing year knowing, Billy, and I knew from the start that he was very special. He had that innocent Elvis Presley personality that wasn't cocky, but completely humble. When he played his guitar you knew he was on a journey to greatness!

[@ellenfalls1330]

@@purim Not a bad analogy . I just about swoon. 🤭 Let's make sure there's no Col. Parker channeling his career. 😝. My hat's off to Don Julin for sure.

[@paulcosta5806]

@@ellenfalls1330 Too late for that he already sold his soul.

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

@@paulcosta5806 C'mon, don't be a moron........

[@aaronkutten]

Traverse city Michigan

[@pwilly8543]

No appreciation for this talent in yankeeville

[@kyledrummond9750]

Does anyone have any clue how to play the first song on the fiddle? If you know give me a shout!

[@calebvinson8703]

“If I lose a hundred dollars, when I’m trying to win a dime, my baby she’s got money all the time!”

[@zacharywho5442]

'somthin wrong with these people just walkin' by

[@christelmayland]

Thanks for posting. The violin player in the beginning, what's his name?

[@235buz]

I think his name is Bad Ass.

[@marvinhighley3444]

That's a fiddle son

[@briandavis5982]

@@marvinhighley3444 A violin has strings. That boys fiddle has "strangs". Big difference.

[@aaronapostol7465]

Eli Haplin

[@DennisKarlsson]

@@marvinhighley3444 There's no difference.

[@bradr1913]

Billy looks pretty buzzed he just about put himself to sleep with that one song. Go on Billy play dat thing.

[@serreca3284]

If you like this video, please subscribe.

[@WhatAboutCover]

Does anybody know the name of the 1st and 3rd Song?

[@emilyallen7193]

I know this post is old but the first song is called, “If I Lose,”. Old school bluegrass number.

[@jrmhrpr]

How the hell are these people just walking by? I'd be staying right there slapping my thigh and stomping my foot!

[@tanyaraven9492]

And pulling a cigarette out from behind your ear?

[@calebvinson8703]

“ If I lose a hundred dollars when Im tryna win a dime, my baby she’s got money all the time!!!” I love Billy so much.

[@MrMarkdevir]

Ah Yeah That's Why I'm Using Caps It's Too Good

[@chrish1657]

So no ones gonna mention unlit cigarette and shorts guy in the opening photos? Come on...

[@pamcm1098]

Sure as hell, there he is! With shoes.

[@ramsarabia]

Nice

[@bach730]

Green shirt guy from the Dust in a Baggie couch video!

[@taxfreedollars]

His feet are still stuck to the floor.

[@stephens9462]

Noticed him too

[@69bethel]

Who is the fiddle player?

[@richardanthony2923]

awesome musicians .does anybody know who the fiddle player is.

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

I was wondering the same thing....

[@liveitlikeitloveall2746]

Don Jullion, he helped Billy a lot getting started. I mean as well as his dad did too.

[@TheFestivalCandy]

@@liveitlikeitloveall2746 Don is much older than Billy, this is not Don.

[@kyledrummond9750]

His name is Elijah Halpin :)

[@richardanthony2923]

@@kyledrummond9750 thankyou

[@emildmello]

People are just walking by oblivious to great music

[@chipsammich2078]

I wonder if he regrets doing that to his ears

[@metzelfetz8473]

I hope not, the music may take some getting used to for people like you but there is no permanent damage, on the contrary.

[@chipsammich2078]

@@metzelfetz8473 What? That makes zero sense. I've been listening to this music since before you was born son.. And theres definitely permanent damage to those ears buddy..

[@jakeweber7467]

they are talking about his body modifications lol

[@chipsammich2078]

@@jakeweber7467 that's what I was talking about.. the music is top notch what he did to his ears makes me wonder if he regrets it..

[@A246678]

@@chipsammich2078 I've wondered the same thing and also about the many tattoos that adorn is entire arms and neck area. My guess is that any regrets he might have are recent as he seems to be now wearing long sleeved shirts (but this is fairly recent). One thing I'm sure of though is that neither the ear piercings or the tattoos have effected his talent.

[@ThaGlittersAintGold]

That’s some “early years” filming too 🤣

[@porkchop803scwilliams9]

Who was the fiddler on the sidewalk with Billy

[@liddlebirdie]

Yeah, that's an obvious omission. Pray tell....

[@IRONMAN000]

His lover

[@aaronapostol7465]

His name is Eli Haplin

[@porkchop803scwilliams9]

@@aaronapostol7465 ty sir

[@wadecohagan2388]

@@IRONMAN000 he, unlike you, has plenty of women who want to be with him. Also unlike you, he isn't gay.

[@silentweaponsquietwars1703]

Billy got a 33 tattoo on his arm What's that about?

[@bradsparks6008]

Grandpa's racing number! I think he did original stock car racing

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Young william did nt really hav a choice...guess he EVER wanted to be fireman? ?

[@randyc5769]

The moon is high and so am I the stars are out and so will I be pretty soon I can tell you're mad at me cuz there you stand telling me goodbye

[@jackstraw0000]

Really glad he got away from Don. As much as he may of helped William, I felt he was holding him back.

[@purim]

I was around both Don and Billy, and I too, felt that their music relationship wouldn't last. But, Billy should hand over an enormous amount of respect by working with Don Julin. I believe Don was his first major mentor to get him into the 'Big Leagues' of the music world.

[@ogs1mpson609]

To be fair, I don’t think even Don himself thought this partnership would last, Billy was always destined to play with his peers.

[@ericbowling2755]

Who the f#$% walks by that?

[@KevinJones-qr4om]

He's awesome but "early years?" He's a baby, he's still in his early years.

[@DennisKarlsson]

Maybe you're right. I hope he lives for a very long time and does not change his style.

[@mikebastiat]

Billy before he went hipster and put on the mask.

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

C'mon, don't be an idiot.........